Arrival in Xian, Excursion to the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi, Excursion to Tang Dynasty Dinner Show

Upon arrival at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall where you will be met by your Lightfoot Travel Guide and your Mozaic Guest Relations Officer. The Lightfoot Travel Guide will be holding a sign with Mozaic Club on it.

You will be taken by private transfer to the site of your first excursion, approximately 25 minutes away.

Excursion to the Tomb of Emporeror Jingdi

The reign of Emperor Jingdi during the Han Dynasty (118-141 BC ) is the exact opposite of the one with Qin Shi Huangdi ( of the Terracotta Warrior fame). As it is, the reign of Qin Shi Huangdi was marked by cruelty and priority to military spending, while the reign of Jingdi was distinguished by his humanism and his vision of more diplomatic relations with foreign people.

The tomb, opened to the public in 2006, houses a multitude of figurines representing eunuchs, servers, and domestic animals, and brings more to mind the normal day life under the Han Dynasty than the Qin Shi Huangdi tomb with its warlike appearance.

You will walk on a glass panel over the different pits and will be able to observe closely the most recently uncovered statuettes. The site also contains a small museum showing the items in the best condition. The importance of the contrast between this site and the Terracotta Warriors makes this visit essential.

Once the excursion has finished you will be taken by private transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square is ideally located within the Xi'an city walls near many hoistorical sites including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Great Mosque and Forest of Steles. The airport and the Terracotta Warriors are both a 45-minute drive away.

Excursion to the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show

In the evening, we head out to enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with an imperial court dinner.

The show is a well designed performance featuring traditional Chinese music and dance and is based on the story of Wuzetian, the first empress of China. It is a must-see performance in Xi'an and an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period.

DAY2

Excursion to the Terracotta Warriors, City Bike Ride and Xian Food Tour

Today you will visit the legendary Terracotta Warriors which are about 45-60 minutes drive from the city centre.

Excursion to the Terracotta Warriors

In 1974, a few farmers stumbled upon the Warriors by accident. Now we can only wonder what those original farmers felt when they first laid eyes on the thousands of soldiers lined up in battle formation. They had just discovered one of the greatest archeological finds in history!

We now have this wonder to view because of Qin Shi Huangdi's fear of malevolent spirits. Qin Shi Huangdi built a mausoleum to have his immense army of infantrymen, archers, and cavalry riders protect him in the afterlife. Each one of the Terracotta Warriors is based upon a face from a different soldier during the Emporer's life. Historians theorize that the Emporer may have wanted to rule the world from the afterlife.

The statues you can view are seperated in three pits. You will begin with the pits number 2 (that is still being excavated) and number 3 (that shelters the majority of the items). You will end with pit number 1, the most impressive pit, with about 2000 warriors. Additionally, there is a small museum on site that houses two splendid bronze chariots found in 1980 west of the mausoleum. You can now see them on display along with other artifacts.

After your visit, stop for lunch at the local restaurant, Aiqinghai.

City Bike Tour

After lunch, head back to the city for a bike tour to discover and glide through Xi'an without traffic jams and crowds. You can even test out a tandem bicycle for something with a little more jazz. During your tour, you will see the impressive City Wall which was built during the Ming Dynasty. Today, the walls stand restored and reconstructed and are a part of the fortifications still visible in China.

Xi'an Food Tour

Your evening activity is all about food and drink!

Our Tuk Tuk driver will pick you up from your tour within the city walls and whisk you away. You will visit several authentic tasting locations which you would have never been able to find on your own. Your guide will include backstories and information on all the food you try, and you will finish at a local brewery for a digestif!

DAY3

Jeep Tour of Jade City, A winery and The Thousand Buddha Temple

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel by your countryside guide in Vintage Jeeps.

Once you are out of the city you will find yourself sneaking through back roads and fields (we're not kidding when we say "off the beaten path") towards your first destination, Jade City, where you will see jade being carved.

Next, enjoy a wine tasting at the beautiful winery of world renowned architect architect Qingyun Ma.

Between destinations, you may find yourself walking through a local market sampling the local flavours or hopping out of the jeep to take pictures of a mass goat crossing the road (it happens).

Next is lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will discover the Thousand Buddha Temple.

Thousand Buddha Temple

This is a temple with a rich history and, as the name implies, thousands of pricelss Buddhist sculptures that have stood the test of time.

The way home, and probably our personal favourite part of the tour, is taken along a single lane road following the peak of the mountains with stunning views surrounding you on either side. Following this, you will be dropped back at your hotel.

Dinner tonight will be at Cheng'an Yi Hao, well known for its exquisite and delicious Shaanxi dishes.

DAY4

Tour of the Muslim Quarter and Departure from Xian

This morning after checking out of your hotel, head out to visit the Muslim Quarter.

Xian is a city of many cultures. During the day of the Silk Road, Muslim merchants from Central Asia came to China to do business and left their influence in Xian. Several Muslim minorities (totalling 15 million inhabitants) now live in China. The Hui minority is predominant in Xian.

You will visit the Chinese style Mosque and the vibrant neighbourhood surrounding it housing a number of butcher shops and different sorts of stores where men wear skullcaps and women wear colourful head scarves.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (Yuezhenxuan) before transferring to the airport in time for your onward flight home.